The Persecuted Church

⁸ “And to the ^[a]angel of the church in Smyrna write,

‘These things says ^(A)the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: ⁹ “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are ^(B)rich); and I know the blasphemy of ^(C)those who say they are Jews and are not, ^(D)but are a ^[b]synagogue of Satan. ^10 (E)Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. ^(F)Be faithful until death, and I will give you ^(G)the crown of life.

^11 (H)“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by ^(I)the second death.” ’

The Compromising Church

¹² “And to the ^[c]angel of the church in Pergamos write,

‘These things says ^(J)He who has the sharp two-edged sword: ¹³ “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. ¹⁴ But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of ^(K)Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, ^(L)to eat things sacrificed to idols, ^(M)and to commit sexual immorality. ¹⁵ Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, ^[d]which thing I hate. ¹⁶ Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and ^(N)will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

¹⁷ “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden ^(O)manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone ^(P)a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’